Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 296

Abby

The next two days of the library project go by without a hitch. Karl, my team, and I get up bright and early each morning, head to the construction site, and get to work. While Karl works on building the library with the other volunteers, my team and I spend our mornings and afternoons preparing and serving food.

It’s hard work, but it’s also fulfilling; and besides, it’s nice to finally spend some time with my friends again. I’ve been worried about them these past few weeks, but I’m glad to see that everyone is doing well despite what happened with the Alpha party and the restaurant closing down.

On the fourth day, with just one more day to go before the project is over and my team has to go home, the morning goes by just as usual. We get to the site, Karl goes his separate way, and then my team and I get to work setting up the tent.

As we unpack our supplies, I can’t help but sidle up to Daisy. She’s setting up the folding tables, making sure the surfaces are clean and putting down fresh tablecloths. Something has been on my mind these past few days, and I finally need to talk to her about it.

“Daisy,” I say, keeping my voice low so the others can’t hear over the sound of John’s music playing over the speaker, “can I ask you something?”

“What’s up?” she asks, not averting her gaze from the table as she works.

“Are you and Ethan…”

“Dating?” she finishes for me. Her eyes meet mine, and I can see something that looks like excitement mixed with trepidation in her gaze. I nod, and her lips begin to tug into a smirk. “Maybe,” she says. “Is that a problem, boss lady?”

I quickly shake my head. “No, not at all,” I say. “I’m happy for you guys. I was wondering what happened after the Alpha party.”

Ethan, who has apparently been eavesdropping nearby, suddenly appears out of seemingly thin air. “Are you two talking about me?”

I can’t help but smirk. “Maybe,” I tease, poking him in the shoulder. “So, you and Daisy, huh?”

Ethan’s face, usually stoic and reserved, splits into a grin. He says nothing, but instead puts his arm around Daisy’s waist, pulling her close. Seeing them like this makes me smile; I couldn’t be happier for them.

“That’s so sweet! You two make a great pair,” I say with a grin so wide it almost reaches my eyes. “I’m happy for you.”

As I make my way away from Daisy and Ethan, I can’t seem to wipe the smile off of my face. It’s nice to see them as a couple, although I have to admit that I figured this would happen weeks ago. And most of all, it’s nice to see that my friends are thriving despite everything.

Can I say the same about myself?

Later, amongst the clatter of pans and chatter of my team, Anton brushes past. His elbow nudges me as he passes, and he shoots me a mischievous glance. “I heard we were gossipping earlier,” he says with a smirk.

I raise my eyebrow. “Perhaps,” I say coyly with a bit of a smirk of my own. “Why? Do you have some gossip to add to the pile?”

Anton nods, and lowers his voice as he looks at me. “Remember how I was going to meet my wife? Well, indeed I did.”

I pause, giving him my full attention despite the pan of simmering sauce sitting in front of me. “Oh?” I ask. “How did that go?”

He takes a deep breath, a sense of relief washing over his face. “Better than expected,” he says. “We talked about visitations with my daughter. We are... we are starting to be friends again.”

I feel a surge of happiness for him, and set the spoon down that I was using to stir. “Anton, that's wonderful,” I say. “I’m so happy for you. God, everyone is having such good luck lately.”

“And what about you, eh?” Anton teases, nudging me again with his elbow. “Miss Abby is back with her husband, isn’t she?”

Anton’s words take me by surprise, and I find myself taken aback. My eyes widen slightly, and I stammer out, “U-Um, it’s complicated.”

From across the room, Chloe’s eyes meet mine. She’s still been giving me the cold shoulder the past few days, and it hurts. I know she’s still upset with me—but there’s nothing I can do about it now. My cheeks quickly flush red, and I glance away, returning my attention to Anton.

“Get back to work,” I tease, nudging him back with a grin.

The morning progresses with a lively buzz after that. There’s an influx of new volunteers for the project, which means more food to prepare and more mouths to feed; but I don’t mind. It’s nice to be back with my team, doing what we do best. Despite Chloe’s coldness, it’s a good day. It makes me wish that the week could stretch on forever.

However, throughout the day, I can’t help but glance over at Karl. He’s immersed in the construction work, his muscles rippling as he lifts heavy beams and drills in screws. It’s amazing to think that the library is already almost completed—well, the exterior, at least. Our eyes meet occasionally, a silent communication that sends a tingle down my spine.

Eventually, the sun begins to dip below the horizon, marking the end of the fourth day. My team and I are packing up when I look up to see a local news photographer, a young man with a camera slung over his shoulder, approaching the tent with Karl.

“Abby,” Karl says as they approach, “this photographer works for the local newspaper. He wants to get a picture of us.”

“Yes,” the photographer says with a smile. “We’d like a picture of our Alpha Karl and Luna Abby for our front page. We’re writing a piece on community spirit.”

I nod, though a bit reluctantly, then an idea strikes me as I glance around at the other volunteers and my staff. “Could we include everyone?” I ask. “It is a team effort, after all.”

Karl’s gaze softens, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “I like that idea,” he says.

We gather everyone in front of the nearly-finished library for the photo. The photographer directs us to get closer. Karl’s arm slides around my waist, pulling me gently against him. The warmth of his touch sends a flush to my cheeks, and my heart flutters uncontrollably.

“Perfect! Hold that smile,” the photographer calls out as he snaps several pictures.

Once the photo session ends, the day winds down. With the tent closed up and our feet sore from a hard day’s work, we turn to head home. The chatter of my friends fills my ears as we walk, but I’m lost in my own little world, walking alongside Leah. Chloe is walking up ahead, her arms folded across her chest.

“She’ll come around,” Leah whispers, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “Don’t worry.”

I let out a soft sigh. “I hope you’re right,” I answer; and it’s the truth. I hate being at odds with my friend, especially over a man. But at the end of the day, I can’t make all of my decisions based off of what Chloe wants. I made my decision to stay in this arrangement with Karl, and I think I have the right to hold my ground.

Suddenly, as we’re meandering down a side street, Ethan stops and points to the sign for the local pub up ahead. “Drinks, anyone?” he asks, turning to look at the rest of the group. “I think we’ve all got reason to celebrate, don’t we?”

The rest of the group chimes in eagerly—even John, who no longer drinks due to his past with alcoholism, but he’s never one to turn down a cold soda and a good talk with friends. Even Karl agrees; and then everyone’s eyes shift to me.

I hesitate at first, aware of the tension with Chloe. “I dunno, guys,” I mutter, scratching my head. “I’m pretty tired—”

“Boo!” Daisy chimes in, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“Yeah, c’mon, Abby,” Leah says. “It’s just one drink.”

I let out a soft sigh. Chloe’s eyes meet mine for the briefest of moments, and her gaze shoots daggers. But the excitement of the rest of the group is contagious, and so is the encouraging look from Karl, who is standing off to the side with his hands in his pockets.

“Alright, alright,” I say, giving in to their enthusiasm. “But just one drink.”